Fire-escape.



Patented July llx, I899.

H. J. MAIER.

FIRE ESCAPE.

(Application filed Apr. 18, 1899.)

(No Model.)

0 WITNESSES: INVENTOH. M 5i -J7En7yJZ@;'er+

d Arronysns,

linemen smarts Artur Urricn.

HENRY J. MAIER, OF LOOUST GAP, PENNSYLVANIA.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 628,824, dated July 11,1899.

Application filed A ri1l8, 1899.

To alt w/tont it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY J. MAIER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Locust Gap, in the county of Northumberland and State ofPennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Fire-Escapes,of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to fire-escape ladders which can be folded when notin use, so as to occupy but little room or space, and which are adaptedto be connected at one .end to any stationary object in a room or to awindow-sill; and the object is to provide an improved construction ofthe same by which when the ladder is lowered from the window thedifferent sections comprising the same will be rigidly connected orlocked at their joints, so as to prevent swinging of the device when aperson is descending the same. 7

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination ofparts hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1. is a perspective view showing aportion of a ladder constructed in accordance with my in vention. Fig. 2is across-sectional view taken centrally through one of the rounds. Fig.3 isa detail perspective view of one of the arms of one of theladdersections. Fig. 4 is a similar View of one of the arms of anothersection. Fig. 5 is a similar view of one of the rounds. Fig. 6 is asection 011 the line no .90, Fig. 2.

Before proceeding to describe the inven tion in detail I would statethat the ladder is composed of a number of alternatcly-arranged sectionswhich are connected together by the rounds in such manner that the saidsections can be folded upon each other.

Referring now to the said drawings,the reference-numeral 1 designatestwo opposite arms which constitute one section of the ladder. Each ofthese arms consists of abar of wood. metal, or other suitable materialformed at each end with a head or enlargement 2, having a centralangular hole with a boss 3 at the inner side, also formed with acorresponding hole 4.

The numeral 5 designates the arms of the next oradjoining section, eachof whichconsists of a wood, metal, or other bar formed at each end witha head or enlargement 7, formed in the inner side with a circular recess8 and Serial No. 713,447. (No model.)

in the outer side with an oblong opening 9, intersecting therewith. Saidhead is also formed with two opposite depressions 10, in-

tersecting with said recess.

The numeral 12 designates the rounds, which may also be made of wood,metal, or other suitable material, and each is formed near the ends witha collar 13. tion of the round is preferably cylindrical in shape, whilethe ends outside the collars are made square or angular.

The numeral 14 designates a block having an angular hole therein whichengages with the angular end of the round and is formed with twoopposite lugs 15. The said rounds when made of metal can have thecollars and blocks made integral therewith.

The manner of assembling the parts is as follows: The angular ends ofthe rounds are passed through the oblong openings 9 of the arms 5, withthe blocksM seated in the recesses 8. The arms 1 are then engaged withsaid angular ends of the rounds, with their .75

hubs seating in the oblong openings i). It will be noticed that byreason of said oblong openings the arms 5can have a limited movementwith respect to the rounds and the arms 1, which are connected with therounds, and

when the lugs 15 are disengaged from the opening 9 the rounds and arms 5can rotate with respect to each other. and 5 are alternatelyarranged-that is to say,

when in use they extend in opposite directions from the rounds.

The operation is as follows: Supposing the arms 1 to be connected with awindow-sillor other stationaryobject, then when the ladder is loweredfor use as it drops the upper lugs 0 the depressions of the arms 5, thelatter and Ioothe rounds can turn with respect to each other.

From the above it will be seen that 1 provide a very efficient ladderwhich can be used as a fire-escape or for other purposes, and as Thebody por- 60 The said arms 1 By reason of the an- 5 the difierentsections lock as the ladder is dropped wabbling or swinging of theladder is prevented.

Having thus fully described my invention, What I claim is 1. In afire-escape 0r otherladder, the combination, with the rounds havingangular ends, the collars and the block formed with opposite lugs, ofthe sections connected with said rounds formed in the inner sides withcircular recesses and opposite depressions with which said lugs areadapted to engage, and with oblong openings through which said endsproject, and the arms formed with angular openings and bosses engagingwith said angular ends of the rounds, substantially as described.

2. In a fire-escape or other ladder, the comnesses.

HENRY J. MAIER. Witnesses:

E. P. BURKET,

BENNETT S. JONES.

